Inbound Logistics’ annual Logistics Technology Perspectives offers market research to help IT buyers and users make better sense of what’s going on in the industry. And, the Top 100 Logistics Technology Providers list celebrates best-in-class innovators that are helping shippers revolutionize their supply chains.

Transportation and logistics technology solutions such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) transportation management systems (TMS) enrich and empower the user community by integrating partners and aggregating data.

As volumes increase and deadlines get shorter, it’s imperative that logistics software systems have out-of-the-box communication with other companies using the same system, and easy setup of communications with companies using other systems.

Supply chain strategies built around software-as-a-service (SaaS) or Cloud computing eliminate many headaches that often come with supply chain investments. They eliminate the need for presence overseas, cut the time spent integrating systems across internal departments, and greatly reduce the time spent integrating with hundreds of partners and suppliers.

As different countries implement both security and trade-led initiatives around the world, it is critical to improve global regulatory knowledge and visibility, writes Tom Barnes of Integration Point Inc.

A new study determines the top 15 undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs in the United States, based on the teaching of technology, software, and quantitative tools used by supply chain professionals, as well as the variety and depth of this coursework.

U.S. beef supply chain participants form partnership to improve sustainability; Manufacturers and retailers fail to adopt best-in-class processes and technology to address global complexities; Online retailers need to rethink how they align their distribution networks; Spot market rates dip seasonally as West Coast volumes catch up; Staples and Syracuse University partner to drive new research and innovation.

To mark SmartWay's 10th anniversary, several shipper partners share their best tactics for getting the most out of the program... Sourcing and procurement functions have become areas of core incompetency says new survey.

Pilot program uses drones to deliver time-sensitive goods; Canadian government lines up two new bilateral trade agreements; Labor rights causing supply chain disruption; Using social media to understand carrier usage.

Cloud-based predictive analytics increasingly available to more companies of all sizes; RFID market set for robust growth by 2020; supply chain risk mitigation should be priority for all companies; key trends driving change for enterprises and government in 2014

An order management system from DF Young and Superior Technology helps Cintron Beverage Company boost inventory accuracy, fulfill orders easily and quickly, and track products throughout the supply chain.

Technology management can affect warehouse operations’ connectivity during and after a power outage. Whether the facility’s warehouse management system (WMS) is installed on-site, delivered via a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) program, or hosted in the cloud can have a huge impact on maintaining productivity, writes John Sterling of Foxfire Software.

Managing freight spend and payments challenges many shippers because rules and regulations vary by geography. Supply chain professionals benefit most from a global solution built for freight spend, says Rick Erickson of Syncada.

Best practices for transportation management dictate that shippers contact all their carriers and ask for accurate rates per mile for multiple lanes before performing an optimization, says Nick Carretta of Ultra Logistics

Logistics technology provides global supply chain managers with tools that help improve logistics operations. This market research survey and list of leading supply chain technology companies directs logistics professionals to the top software tools for their sector.

E-commerce presents retailers with challenges and opportunities; Food regulation top of mind for 3PLs and shippers; Daktronics’ lean machine keeps production at home; Nike partners with Bluesign Technologies to facilitate sustainable sourcing program among supply chain partners.

Online retailers seeking new sites for DCs and warehouses need the transportation infrastructure to support a constant, rapid-fire flow of shipments – plus a capable workforce, affordable utilities, and business incentives to help them get the most from their investment.

Monitoring the pallet-level temperature of fresh, frozen, and packaged foods allows shippers and transporters to more effectively manage the quality and safety of products as they move through the supply chain, writes Kevin Payne of Intelleflex.

With the right investments in technology, 3PLs can make their business more attractive to current and potential clients by offering additional value-added services, superior inventory control, and overall cost reduction, writes Chuck Fuerst of HighJump Software.

Retailers and shippers need to find ways to meet consumers’ changing demand for home delivery services, while maintaining adequate margins and finding new avenues for continued growth, writes Foster Finley of AlixPartners.

Yard and dock management systems use real-time and physical data to assist facilities in efficiently managing operations such as loading dock visibility, live and staged trailer coordination, and turn time management, writes Eric Breen of 4SIGHT.

Continuous e-commerce growth has prompted an increasing number of retailers to use third-party logistics (3PL) providers for handling their direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Jeffrey B. Graves of Sedlak Management Consultants explains that for retail logistics executives, assessing 3PL capabilities that best fit their company’s requirements can be a challenge, yet critical for optimum return on investment (ROI)

The cloud-based Real Time Value Network enables trading partners to plan, execute, monitor, and synchronize in real time all of the business processes and events that take place throughout their extended supply chains, says Greg Brady of One Network Enterprises.

Advances in consumer technologies such as smartphones and tablets are driving a new generation of rugged mobility innovation for logistics and supply chain applications, writes Tim Eusterman of Intermec Technologies.

Business Intelligence within the supply chain improves internal efficiencies and accountability while saving time and eliminating costs with metrics-driven decision-making and change management, writes Steve Dowse, International Asset Systems.

The development of new technologies for planning, managing, tracking, and securing shipments never ends, and with new digital options always just around the corner, organizations of all sizes need to stay informed on the latest advances. Pablo Ciano of DHL Express identifies four key business areas where technology makes all the difference.

Savvy distribution and supply chain managers should be looking at sortation and its related disciplines as a means of addressing problems and achieving savings, writes Jay Moris of Invata Intralogistics.

Supply chain visibility helps flag upcoming supply or demand problems, allowing a company either to take action to prevent disasters or to respond by activating backup plans, writes George W. Prest of Material Handling Industry of America.

Once cost-prohibitive to all but the largest enterprises, warehouse management systems (WMS) are now available to small and mid-sized companies, offering benefits such as improved inventory accuracy and labor savings, says Ralph Hess, N’Ware Technologies.

To move ahead of competitors, it is critical that organizations collaborate using electronic, real-time information sharing, merged from multiple partners in a single actionable environment, says John Reichert of TECSYS Inc.

For both third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and retailers, investing in a technology partner that supports customization and flexibility at a moderate cost is a strategy for long-term adaptability and growth, says Chandra Allred of PSCTrac.

Trucking load boards have evolved from bulletin boards in truck stops to sophisticated social networking-style tools on handheld computers. Charles Myers of uShip.com outlines the benefits of the evolved load board.

By highlighting the differences between an organization’s performance and a comparative reference standard, benchmarks can identify improvement opportunities and identify activities required to achieve superior performance.

Supply chain executives must think differently about their logistics processes, and implement multi-party technology that gives them and their logistics partners greater control of the supply chain, says Chris Jones of Descartes.

Many ERP vendors have added full-blown supply chain management functionality to their solution suites. Here’s a look at some of their offerings, and at two large companies that are reaping the benefits.

Using lean components as a foundation for labor management is a powerful way to increase productivity and reduce costs in a warehouse or distribution center, according to Ryder Supply Chain Solutions’ Jeff Boudreau.

Ralph Lauren’s transport operations team lacked the ability to dynamically route international air freight according to real-time best service and cost options, and it showed in inflated shipping costs. When a market search found no suitable transportation management system (TMS) for international air freight, the company decided to create its own, with help from solutions provider Acuitive Solutions.

Logistics can now be aligned with supply chain and manufacturing through solutions that create daily transportation need forecasts by lane/mode/carrier. Robert F. Byrne of Terra Technology outlines the benefits.

New e-commerce sites like Groupon and LivingSocial can bring huge sales volume in a very short period of time by reaching a targeted audience with appealing offers. Tod Yazdi of TAGGlogistics explains how shippers can work with fulfillment partners to make the most of this new opportunity.

Choosing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendor that addresses flexibility, scalability, and upgrade and maintenance costs can help provide a smooth solution implementation. David F. Ross of APICS, The Association for Operations Management, offers his advice on selecting the right ERP system.

Retailers can implement technology and processes to increase traceability and gain greater visibility into their supply chain, which helps track and retrieve products in the event of a product recall, writes Brendan Lowe, Aldata Solution.

Companies that limit their use of EDI to fundamental transactions, such as purchase orders and invoices, are missing an opportunity to strengthen their customer service and overall competitiveness, writes Chad Collins, HighJump Software.

A comprehensive supply chain labor management solution that automates processes such as hiring, time, and attendance, and scheduling can help control costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity, says Malysa O'Connor, Kronos.

Most ports today compete globally with one another and reflect tremendous productivity gains in ocean transport achieved in recent decades. Simon Kaye of Jaguar Freight offers tips on choosing a port with electronic and data processing sophistication.

Companies in last-mile logistics need to make the most of their data assets to power real-time exchange between data in core systems to the diverse systems of customers and partners. Ensenda’s Rob Howard explains how trading partners can streamline their data exchange.

RFID technologies allow computers, objects, and individuals to interact in new ways, supplying logistics providers and materials handlers with predictable and actionable data to enhance their service offerings and operations, explains Ravi Pappu of ThingMagic.

Today's shippers have the ability to access information captured by their freight bill payment service providers to make more informed decisions about carrier selection, service utilization, and cost allocation.

Sometimes it's easier than you think to find hidden profits in your warehouse or transportation operations. Many successful companies are doing more with less by simply optimizing their slotting practices, pick paths, truckloads and delivery routes.

Transportation forecasts enable planners to shift from reacting to orders to proactively managing capacity. By synchronizing transport forecasts with manufacturing and distribution plans, your entire company can respond to the same demand signals.

It is interesting to witness the changes that have occurred in transportation purchasing. For one, the annual bid mentality is gone. With access and visibility to posting boards, SaaS transportation networks, and optimization technologies, transportation procurement has evolved to the point where it is truly a continuous management function.

Manual data inputs. Multiple data sources. Data latency. Point-to-point interfaces. These are just a few key obstacles to achieving supply chain visibility. But, there are solutions available that deliver visibility and intelligence as a service with process, security, and environmental monitoring.

Third-party logistics providers that use advanced planning tools to model complex routing operations and streamline the bid process have a significant advantage in both demonstrating results and helping clients cut costs. When they cut modeling time to a fraction of what it was, and utilize new tools, 3PLs can uncover opportunities and quickly implement changes that provide benefit for their clients.